History lesson for today. This is where “Easter” came from in an attempt to replace God’s commanded Festival, Passover.
This is from the Council of Nicea of 325AD
From the letter of the Emperor (Constantine) to all those not present at the council. (Found in Eusebius, Vita Const., Lib III 18-20)
“When the question relative to the sacred festival of Easter (Passover) arose, it was universally thought that it would be convenient that all should keep the feast on one day; for what could be more beautiful and more desirable than to see this festival, through which we receive the hope of immortality, celebrated by all with one accord and in the same manner? It was declared to be particularly unworthy for this, the holiest of festivals, to follow the customs (the calculation) of the Jews who had soiled their hands with the most fearful of crimes, and whose minds were blinded. In rejecting their custom we may transmit to our descendants the legitimate mode of celebrating Easter; which we have observed from the time of the Saviour’s passion (according to the day of the week).
We ought not therefore to have anything in common with the Jew, for the Saviour has shown us another way; our worship following a more legitimate and more convenient course (the order of the days of the week: And consequently in unanimously adopting this mode, we desire, dearest brethren to separate ourselves from the detestable company of the Jew. For it is truly shameful for us to hear them boast that without their direction we could not keep this feast. How can they be in the right, they who, after the death of the Saviour, have no longer been led by reason but by wild violence, as their delusion may urge them? They do not possess the truth in this Easter question, for in their blindness and repugnance to all improvements they frequently celebrate two Passovers in the same year. We could not imitate those who are openly in error.
How, then, could we follow these Jews who are most certainly blinded by error? For to celebrate a Passover twice in one year, is totally inadmissible.
But even if this were not so it would still be your duty not to tarnish your soul by communication with such wicked people (the Jews). You should consider not only that the number of churches in these provinces make a majority, but also that it is right to demand what our reason approves, and that we should have nothing in common with the Jews.”
(Gleaned from Dr. Henry R. Percival’s “The Nicean and post Nicean Fathers”. Vol. XIV Grand Rapid: Erdmans pub. 1979,pgs. 54-55).
Is Easter found in the Bible?
Yes, in Judges 2:12-14, Judges 10:6, 1 Kings 11:4-6, 1 Kings 11:33, 2 Kings 23:13, 1 Samuel 7:4, 1 Samuel 12:10, 1 Samuel 31:10…. The Bible says to stay away from Easter!
Where else is Easter found in the Bible?
Only in Acts 12:4 in the King James Version.
It is a mistranslation of the Greek Pasch or Passover. Barnes Notes says about the KJV’s changing the term Passover to Easter: “There was never a more absurd or unhappy translation than this. The original is simply after the Passover.”
Acts 12:4, “And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after EASTER to bring him forth to the people.” (KJV)
Acts 12:4, “After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the PASSOVER.” (NIV)
Acts 12:4, “And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the PASSOVER to bring him forth to the people.” (ASV)
This is why we are to study like the Bereans (Acts 17:11). Otherwise, others will lead us astray, just as Constantine and the Catholic Church did many years ago.
Shalom
